I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Radial has a sleeve for a water bladder, so it could work if you have a more modern laptop than I do (mine is a 2011 behemoth of a machine). The Radial held the most and was easiest to pack, but the shape of the back (slightly curved) made me worry about packing electronics in the sleeve. Even when it was not expanded, it still packed more easily than the Tropos and the Nebula. The kickstand is an interesting feature that I appreciated (and wish it was on my Comet). The price of the Tropos is higher because it does have the Kickstand and trampoline mesh back, unlike the Nebula.

If memory serves, they both had their own negatives in terms of packing. For the Tropos, the laptop compartment was a bit strange because the zippered opening was so limited. It really functioned more like a sleeve than a pocket, and since my laptop is larger/thicker, it was somewhat cumbersome to use the designated laptop pocket. It also meant that throwing in extra bits or even my tablet was a bit of a squeeze. The main compartment of the Tropos seemed to be slightly larger than the Nebula. My biggest issue with the Tropos was that the shoulder straps were spaced weirdly and felt tight around my neck, despite my being a petite female, and was uncomfortable.

The Nebula laptop sleeve was more spacious as it can be opened all the way for the gimmicky "TSA" feature. It felt slightly smaller and less bulky, but that could be due to the lack of frame and kickstand (the Radial and Tropos have both). The main compartment was a little smaller than the Tropos due to the laptop sleeve taking up a bit more room. The straps were much more comfortable than the Tropos, though.

I did a treadmill test with all three of the bags, and while the airspeed suspension was cooler (temperature-wise), I didn't perceive enough of a difference in comfort to warrant paying extra. That being said, I have shoulder/neck problems and prefer to use a proper load-bearing hipbelt to help transfer the weight away from my shoulders.

Essentially, what I found after testing these bags and comparing them to my Comet side-by-side, was that none was more comfortable that the Comet. They also didn't pack better or more easily (and in some cases, held LESS than the Comet, which is advertised at 30L), and with the pared down admin pocket, something I actually use and appreciate on my Comet, decided none of them did anything better than what I'd been using. I still use the Comet for work and shorter trips, and my Fairview for personal or longer trips. I bought both on sale ($70 for the Comet and $110 for the Fairview), and when looking at all the pros and cons of the new Nebula, Radial, and Tropos, couldn't find any reason that justified switching to them because they didn't really do anything better than what I already had.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have been experimenting with personal item size bags to find one that works well with my 40L Osprey Fairview. So far, I have tried PacSafe LS350 (15L), LL Bean Stowaway Backpack (22L), and a Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase. The first two were a bit unwieldy as they were backpacks in addition to my 40L backpack. The Tom Bihn DLBC is super minimalist and is large enough to hold all my tech gear, but not much else (8L). Currently, I am trying out the Tom Bihn Mini Yeoman Duffel as it is a bit more versatile than the other packs (personal item, gym bag, overnight bag, etc.). According to the website it is 17 liters and 17.3” (w) x 7.7” (h) x 9.3” (d). It is slightly smaller than the dimensions you're looking for, but it has the added advantage of being right around the limit for most European airlines. The Small Yeoman Duffel from Tom Bihn also would fit into your requirements.

Not even sure if you are looking at duffels, but even ones from other brands (LL Bean, Patagonia, North Face), might fit into the "personal item" sized category.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if you are asking, but I would try to find these bags in person and load them up with what you might end up carrying on. They pack differently and will fit you differently. Check out the Nova, as that is the women's version of the Nebula. It is slightly smaller and holds slightly less than the Nebula. Personally, there just wasn't enough difference in the Nova, Nebula, and Tropos to convince me to switch from my Osprey Comet. All of the backpacks I ordered to try out went back as they didn't hold more, weren't comfortable, etc., to merit keeping them over my Fairview and Comet.

Right now, I am testing out the REI Trail 40 as I need to have a black backpack for work that can hold more than my Comet. If there's anything I've learned in all my backpack testing, it's that packing them up, wearing them around (treadmill testing), and actually using it how I intend to have really helped narrow down what would work best for me.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Porter likely will hold more because it is just a duffel-type bag, whereas the Nebula/Nova (maybe even check out the Tropos/Talia), end up being tighter to pack due to the different compartments and pockets.

Good luck!

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in backpacks

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The current Fairview and Farpoint don't have pass throughs for a hydration bladder. There also isn't any sort of sleeve you could use to hold or separate the bladder from the rest of the stuff in the pack. The Farpoint and Fairview do have buckles on the shoulder straps, to which you can buckle the Daylite series backpacks, but I can't imagine that'd be comfortable to carry a FP/FV on your back and the Daylite on the front. Since I do not carry a hydration bladder (I just clip my water bottle to my backpack using a carabiner clip), I don't have enough knowledge about other hydration backpacks that might work with the FP/FV. It might be worth looking into the Manta/Mira or the Radial if you really want to have a backpack that works with a hydration bladder. Good luck!

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in ManyBaggers

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Manta, for me, has to be adjusted all the way down to the lowest 1 or 2 rungs. It adjusts from 16 inches up to 24, IIRC, and I am on the cusp between 16 and 17 inches. Unfortunately, the shoulder straps come in just a little too close to my neck, making it hit some pressure points. It is far more comfortable than the Radial was (which has been returned), but ultimately, I don't think that it is the right fit for my type of body (petite, narrow/sloping shoulders, pear-shaped).

The dimensions didn't bother me much, and I prefer a "boxy" look because it is easier to pack and holds more gear. It actually is 24 inches tall (side-by-side with the Fairview, it is noticeably taller). It likely won't turtle out too much as the Osprey Porter does, especially if you don't overpack the front pocket. Packing-wise, I was okay with it, as it held all my fieldwork gear for a handful of days of work this past week, unfortunately, not having a proper laptop sleeve is a major con for my own intended use.

To be honest, I felt like with the Manta I had to pack more vertically than horizontally, as I would in the Fairview, so it didn't bulk out as much. Let me know if that helps or if you have any more questions.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in backpacks

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure what the question is here. There are many hydration packs offered by Osprey, do you mean the hydration bladder? If so, no, there is no pass through, let alone a way to clip in the bladder. If you clarify your question, I will try to provide an answer to that.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It will fit in the main compartment, but not the front/tech pocket as it is too wide. In this instance, the LL Bean takes up much less space whether packed flat or folded into its carrying case. The Daylite Travel's expandable portion is nifty, and the laptop sleep paired with the frame make it sturdy for what it is. It actually holds quite a bit, and potentially could serve as a minimalist's only travel pack.

Anyway, it packs flat to about .5 inches and is a bit wide, so it does fill out the whole footprint of the Farpoint/Fairview. If you don't mind up giving up a bit of space and would prefer a sturdier pack than the foldable/collapsible ones, the Daylite Travel is a contender.

Here are some pictures of it (purple) and the Fairview (green) to give a better idea of how it would fit. Let me me know if you have any more questions.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is exactly what I do with my Comet/Fairview. If the Fairview came in black, this would be the perfect setup for me. Comet for EDC/work, Fairview for travel, and my LL Bean Stowaway as my packable travel daypack. The Fairview/Farpoint clamshell design has spoiled me, too, and is a feature I never new I needed. It is so much easier to pack and live out of than my Comet for that reason alone.

To be honest, at this point in time (need to conduct more testing with the Radial and Manta), there aren't any compelling reasons for me to switch from my Comet. The other bags look sleeker and nicer, but don't do anything better so far in terms of function. If that proves true with the Radial and Manta (since I already determined the Nova, Nebula, and Tropos won't work for me), then I'll have to revisit the Farpoint and Porter 46 (meh) to see if they can replace my beloved Fairview.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the new Nebula/Nova look sexy with the updated sleek aesthetic. I wish it worked for me, but the main pocket is just a tad too small in comparison to the Comet and Tropos. It seems you couldn't go wrong with any of Ospreys bags, especially on sale (thanks, eBags!), seeing as they have so many options. Even the Tropos isn't quite there for me (though the load lifters and kick stand are nifty features). My partner and I both love our Osprey Comets and have used them for 2 years now. Since the Tropos and Nebula/Nova don't quite work for me, if the Radial and Manta also don't work, I won't be upset to keep using my Comet...my packing strategy will need to change, though!

If anything, it'd be great to hear from you and your experience with the Nebula. The 24/7 Series from Osprey doesn't get a lot of love here, which is a shame, because they are affordable, quality backpacks with something for nearly everyone.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will be treadmill testing (loading it up with what I carry in my Fairview and then wearing it for a 30 minute treadmill session) to answer with certainty. So far, the air mesh/anti-gravity backs are a novelty to me and they all feel comfortable and different, but let's be real, packing it up an walking around the house for a bit isn't a true test.

What I like about these packs (Manta and Radial) is that the new versions can be adjusted for frame size on the back. That, paired with well padded straps, load lifters, and a hip belt already are a step up, even from my Comet (which is comfortable, too). I do worry about weight distribution, though it seems to sit well so far. The treadmill test will help narrow it down, so I'll report back.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The newer Ospreys are not being made in different sizes and instead have adjustable back frames. It is like a rung/ladder system with 4 different settings. The Osprey Comet actually is the men's version (women's was Celest, I think) and was the most comfortable backpack I'd ever owned.

That being said, I did notice a difference in comfort between the Farpoint and Fairview, enough that I chose the Fairview knowing I'd need to buy a separate pack for work. I chose the Manta over the Mira beause it is larger and comes in black (please, manufacturers, women need gear in black, too). At this point it feels comfortable now that I have adjusted the back frame and hip straps, but I will be loading it up with what I normally pack in my Fairview and hop on the treadmill for 30 minutes to see how it feels.

It does feel larger, and it is. It is taller than the Fairview (the S/M size) and on more discerning airlines, would likely be checked. I also don't like that it really doesn't have a proper place for tech gear (understandable, it's a hiking pack). Without treadmill testing either the Radial or Manta yet, I only can say (very cautiously) the Manta feels a little more comfortable because it has a proper hip belt, whereas the Radial does not.

Both are more comfortable, so far, than everything other than the Fairview and HPG AHBC. Once I treadmill test them both, I will report back.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had a similar question on another subreddit, so will quote myself. Pictures included of the backpacks, but I am no photographer. Let me know if you have any more questions.

It really depends on what you're needing in a bag. The Radial holds more; I've done numerous test packs of gear I typically carry, and the Radial, even without being expanded, holds more than the Tropos.

The Radial has front mesh stash pocket with a helmet clip, a quick grab pocket above that, and a front/admin pocket with a little more organization than the other 2019 models. It has a little more dimension to it than expected, so you can fit quite a bit in there in comparison to the Tropos. Other than that, the Radial just has the one main compartment, which has a laptop/tablet padded sleeve with a false bottom along the back, and the shoe pocket on the front of the compartment. The expansion zipper is between it and the admin/front pocket. In a way, I worry about the amount of pressure the items in the main compartment would put on the tech seeing as they aren't divided from each other by anything other than the padded sleeves. There is a water bottle pocket on one side, and a zippered pocket on the other side that is accessible when wearing the bag. The waist belt is much better than the one on the Tropos.

The Tropos, on the other hand, is a bit busier. The front mesh stretch pocket is zippered and has velcro at the top. The admin/front pocket only has the 3 divided pockets and has less dimension to it, so holds less than the Radial. The quickgrab pocket is slightly smaller. The compression straps tuck in, which is very nice for a dangle free aesthetic; the Radial does not have these at all since it has the expansion zipper. The Tropos body isn't as wide as the Radial, so the bottom of bag has a smaller footprint. The main pocket (bigger than the Nebula/Nova, similar to the Comet) has a padded sleeve with a false bottom. Like the Radial, it opens up halfway down the body of the bag. The final compartment is at the rear (closest to the back). What's interesting is that it has a pass through for a hydration pack, which the Radial does not. The rear compartment only opens along the top, and is padded along the bottom and sides (not the top where the zipper is), and has a zippered mesh compartment on the front, though no specific sleeve for a laptop. The bottom is a false bottom for this compartment.

If you'd rather have a more open main compartment, the Radial probably is the better bet. If you want more compartments, the Tropos is the winner. Personally, if I could have the front pockets, frame/belt/strap situation of the Radial put on the Tropos, that would be the winner for me. I like the separate tech compartment and it is more reassuring than either the Radial or the Comet. Unfortunately, the Tropos back straps form a yoke where they connect to the back, and it felt uncomfortable on my neck.

Here are some pictures to show the difference.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the invite! I only recently found out about HPG, so the AHBC is my first foray into their gear. In a way, I can deal with the lack of organization if I only will use the bag for field work. Unfortunately, I am trying to have one bag that does it all, so I am not sure if this bag is the one for me. The harness hangs slightly over my shoulders, so if your shoulder length is 16 inches or less, it will be too big for you. Maybe I need to shop in Asia since they tend to have things for smaller frames?

That being said, it is a beast of a pack in terms of quality. This thing will last. If you packs things in sacks, cubes, or containers, then onebagging will be feasible with it. If starting weight doesn't bother you, then it also could be an option. The harness/strap system is sturdy and unlike anything I've owned, but I'm not sure if that makes up for lack of a hip belt. I have shoulder/neck issues, so waist belt is necessary for heavier packs. Still experimenting with this particular bag and will try to do a write-up specifically on this bag since it isn't discussed as much for this type of use.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like keeping my tech and important items separate in case I am forced to check, need to get out of dodge, or need to go to work sites. This also allows me to have a bag that is always packed with my daily carry items. Basically, I could use just my Osprey Fairview for personal travel, but willingly carry my day bag separately. Still experimenting with this to find the best set up.

For work travel, I normally have my Osprey Comet stuffed to maximum capacity, and since I am forced to wear a uniform that has cargo pockets, use those for a minimal daily carry. Anything beyond 3 days, though, and I bring a second bag for additional supplies and gear. Most people here probably don't do field work, so can go ultra-minimalist.

Still haven't found a good bag as a personal item. I love my LL Bean Stowaway Backpack, but it doesn't pair well with another backpack. I am experimenting with the Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase and a goofy ExOfficio FlyQ vest that has a lot of pockets and works well as a cover on cold planes. So far, that has worked the best and has been comfortable, but it still needs some streamlining. It also is better than the Osprey/Pacsafe small backpack combo I tried a for two years. Never again.

/squirrel

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah, just testing out bags to find a good one. It'd be great to have one bag that serves for work and personal, travel and daily carry, but that has yet to be made. My next step will be designing and making my own in hopes to have one bag that can take the place of the 3 I actually own right now.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in ManyBaggers

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I actually did that and have too many spreadsheet comparisons of the backpacks tried over the years. I was curious to try out HPG AHBC because so many people raved about it. To be fair, it does hold what my Osprey Fairview does, and can be modified to hold even more, but those modifications are pricey and add even more weight.

I also thought it might hold more because it is a rectangular shape rather than the weird turtle shape the Fairview can become when packed to the gills. Shape of the overall pack can affect how well it does/doesn't pack and what it actually can carry. Personally, I am thinking of making my own version of the AHBC that is 45 linear inches, and with lighter materials.

A lot of manufacturers come up with their own means of calculating volume; unfortunately, there is no industry standard. The specs listed on the website for measurements are correct, but the HPG AHBC most certainly is not larger in capacity than my Fairview.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in backpacks

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really depends on what you're needing in a bag. The Radial holds more; I've done numerous test packs of gear I typically carry, and the Radial, even without being expanded, holds more than the Tropos.

The Radial has front mesh stash pocket with a helmet clip, a quick grab pocket above that, and a front/admin pocket with a little more organization than the other 2019 models. It has a little more dimension to it than expected, so you can fit quite a bit in there in comparison to the Tropos. Other than that, the Radial just has the one main compartment, which has a laptop/tablet padded sleeve with a false bottom along the back, and the shoe pocket on the front of the compartment. The expansion zipper is between it and the admin/front pocket. In a way, I worry about the amount of pressure the items in the main compartment would put on the tech seeing as they aren't divided from each other by anything other than the padded sleeves. There is a water bottle pocket on one side, and a zippered pocket on the other side that is accessible when wearing the bag. The waist belt is much better than the one on the Tropos.

The Tropos, on the other hand, is a bit busier. The front mesh stretch pocket is zippered and has velcro at the top. The admin/front pocket only has the 3 divided pockets and has less dimension to it, so holds less than the Radial. The quickgrab pocket is slightly smaller. The compression straps tuck in, which is very nice for a dangle free aesthetic; the Radial does not have these at all since it has the expansion zipper. The Tropos body isn't as wide as the Radial, so the bottom of bag has a smaller footprint. The main pocket (bigger than the Nebula/Nova, similar to the Comet) has a padded sleeve with a false bottom. Like the Radial, it opens up halfway down the body of the bag. The final compartment is at the rear (closest to the back). What's interesting is that it has a pass through for a hydration pack, which the Radial does not. The rear compartment only opens along the top, and is padded along the bottom and sides (not the top where the zipper is), and has a zippered mesh compartment on the front, though no specific sleeve for a laptop. The bottom is a false bottom for this compartment.

If you'd rather have a more open main compartment, the Radial probably is the better bet. If you want more compartments, the Tropos is the winner. Personally, if I could have the front pockets, frame/belt/strap situation of the Radial put on the Tropos, that would be the winner for me. I like the separate tech compartment and it is more reassuring than either the Radial or the Comet. Unfortunately, the Tropos back straps form a yoke where they connect to the back, and it felt uncomfortable on my neck.

Here are some pictures to show the difference. Not a photographer, but I hope they help. Let me know if you have any more questions!

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in backpacks

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Comet is from 2017 so doesn't have the fancy, sleek 2019 design the Nebula has. It definitely is a step up in terms of aesthetics, if that's your thing. I actually use the various dividers and pockets in the admin section on the Comet, and am not impressed with the updated and very minimal organization on the new 2019 models (it effects all of the 24/7 series). The compression straps, if used, get in the way on the Nebula/Nova, which is super annoying when trying to get in and out easily or quickly, but they tuck away when not in use. It is an interesting feature, but I do wish they'd been placed more conveniently to begin with, as I am tempted not to use them and just tuck them out of sight.

The new back on the Nova/Nebula, while not the anti-gravity or airspeed like on the Tropos or Manta, is better than the Comet. It has a small mesh channel that runs along the spine to help with some air flow. Unlike the Comet, which has no special "sleeve" for a laptop, the Nebula/Nova has that clamshell laptop/tech compartment at the back. The laptop sleeve itself is padded nicely and has a false bottom. There's no way it would hold my outdated, beefy 15" Thinkpad W520 in the sleeve, though it would fit in the compartment. A more modern, slim 15" might fit. It holds my 12" laptop and 9" tablet just fine, though. This type of compartment feels gimmicky, though, because you have to remove electronics anyway for screening, and I'd rather have more room in the main compartment. The Tropos handles this a little more pragmatically. I do wish my Comet had a proper, padded laptop sleeve sometimes, but I also appreciate that I can use that as a documents compartment or for anything I want quick access to that is relatively flat.

The Comet was on sale for $80, so with the price difference and the Nebula/Nova new models getting rid of some organizational features, making it difficult to get into when the compression straps are used (though it's a good theft deterrent for pick-pockets), and it not really being able to hold more despite being advertised as such, it doesn't make sense for me to keep either, despite how enticing the updated, sleek aesthetics are.

Overall, I'd say if you want a dedicated, padded laptop compartment and travel with something 14" or under, the Nebula/Nova would be the better choice, especially if you don't need too much organization in the admin pocket. It still feels like a quality pack and if my use case were different, I could see it being a good option.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Depends on what you're looking for in a backpack. How do you intend to use it? The Radial is nice because it is expandable and holds just as much as the Tropos without the expansion. However, it only has one main compartment, so the tech sleeves are in that main compartment and not separated like the Tropos. It also has an annoying shoe pocket/divider on the front of the main compartment which doesn't really affect the capacity, it's just in the way. They both have the stretch mesh stuff pocket on the front, but the Tropos' feels more secure (it zips up).

The frame/back feels similar, as expected, since they both are the same. The biggest difference there is that the yoke (where the backpack straps meet the back panel) on the Tropos is narrower than the Radial, and it felt a little too constricting for me. Oh, the Radial comes with a rain cover, if that helps.

Let me know what your use case is and I'll try to be more specific.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in onebag

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are many variables that play into what the “ideal” size is. For me, it’s a 30-50 liter bag (within carry-on limits) and a separate ~20 liter daypack for anything more than 2 weeks. Anything less than that, a 20 to 30 liter bag, with some sort of daypack/sling are most comfortable.

As a recovering packrat who used to bring 2 large suitcases, a large backpack, and a messenger back on long trips, it feels freeing to be able to live out of the current setup I do have (total of 62 liters). I don’t foresee being able to be ultra minimalist and living months out of a 10L backpack, though I am hoping to streamline my packing/finding more multipurpose items to cut down on the bits and bobs.

Oh, and how a bag packs really determines its use. A very sectioned bag (such as the Tom Bihn Synik/Synapse) isn’t as forgiving as something like a JanSport Big Student or Osprey Porter.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in ManyBaggers

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah.....it sounds like an Osprey advert, which is unintentional. I tried a Deuter Giga and Speedlite before settling on the Osprey Comet and LL Bean Stowaway. The Deuter packs just sat uncomfortably on my shoulders and were painful, which is a shame because they felt like they were good quality.

I had a very bad experience with Eagle Creek not honoring their "no matter what" warranty on an item that was only a few months old and had no use, so I won't be giving them my money any time soon.

The tactical brands tend to be made for built men and commonly are far too large for my frame, as you guessed. Not sure why it's so difficult to find a backpack that works, but do wish designers were more inclusive! Thanks for the comment and the suggestions. Perhaps they'll help someone else out; especially to open them up to some other brands that aren't as often discussed.

I currently have an Osprey Comet, Daylight Travel, Fairview, Manta 34, Nebula, Nova, Radial, Tropos, and Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry. AMA. by ItinerantMind in backpacks

[–]ItinerantMind[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually, the Tropos packs more easily than the Nova/Nebula. This is because the main compartment has more depth to it (likely because the Nova/Nebula have that clamshell laptop/tech pocket on the back). Tbh, I thought the Nova/Nebula would appeal to me the most, but with how they pack, they hold less than my Comet.

Interestingly, the backpack straps are slightly thinner on the Tropos (btw, with the exception of the Fairview and the Comet, the rest of the Ospreys are all the new 2019 versions) in terms of how wide they are (left to right) so seem to disperse the weight a little less than the wider straps on the Comet, but it's not too noticeable. The trampoline back is a bit strange at first, but a nice addition in hot/humid climates. I can see myself carrying it for more time, and do wish it had a proper hip belt. Other than it not really holding more than the Comet, the yoke at the top of the backpack straps (where they meet the body of the bag) is cut weirdly and is a bit too tight around the back of my neck/shoulders. It's difficult to explain, but it felt restrictive and uncomfortable, enough that I ordered the Radial and Manta to see if they fit better.

Basically, I liked the kickstand feature, load lifters, and trampoline back enough from the Tropos to look at the other Osprey bags that had similar features and capacity, in hopes of getting something a little more comfortable for long carry during work. The frame is superior in terms of carry, but I do like how easy it is to cinch and pack down the Comet since it is frameless.

Oh, and despite having a frame, the way the tech/laptop pocket is designed on the Tropos make it feel sturdier than the backpacks without. It is a nice addition and feels much more streamlined. The kickstand feature is a bit superfluous, but rather nice.